Polyethylenimine-Modified Graphene Oxide as a Novel Antibacterial Agent and Its Synergistic Effect with Daptomycin for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

An aqueous dispersion of polyethylenimine-modified graphene oxide (PEI-GO) was prepared via a one-step synthesis through an epoxy ring-opening reaction. PEI-GO exhibited bacterial growth inhibition activity on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a minimum inhibitory concentration as low as 8 μg mL–1. Time–kill curve assay and SYTOX Green assay showed the antibacterial activity and bacteria cell membrane permeability of PEI-GO, respectively. Most importantly, when PEI-GO was employed at 1–2 μg mL–1, a synergistic effect with daptomycin to resensitize daptomycin-resistant MRSA was revealed. A synergistic effect between PEI-GO and daptomycin provides a possible way to increase bacterial killing and reduce the development of daptomycin resistance. The antibacterial activity of PEI-GO is attributed to the damaged cell membrane caused by the sharp edge and chain structure of the PEI-GO nanosheets as well as the high density of amine groups present in the PEI chains. Our results indicate that PEI-GO dispersion has a great potential for clinical pathogenic bacteria treatment.

Exploring Light-Sensitive Nanocarriers for Simultaneous Triggered Antibiotic Release and Disruption of Biofilms Upon Generation of Laser-Induced Vapor Nanobubbles

“…Next we tested the combination with tobramycin, finding that GQD had a synergistic effect on the efficiency of tobramycin. This is similar to what has been reported by Fan et al who also found a synergistic effect of polyethyleneimine-graphene oxide on daptomycin in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus [33]. When we combined VNB pre-treatment of P. aeruginosa biofilms with subsequent addition of tobramycin, a significant effect on biofilm viability was found, confirming that VNB from GQD can enhance the diffusion of tobramycin and enhance its effectivity, similar to what we have shown before with AuNP [10].…”

Quaternized carbon quantum dots with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity for the treatment of wounds infected with mixed bacteria

“…indicating the doping effect of N element and quaternary ammonium group in qCQDs 26,38,39 . The high-resolution results of O1s (Fig.…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers Filled with Poly[2-(tert-butylaminoethyl) Methacrylate]-Grafted Graphene Oxide Nanosheets

“…The C 1s spectra of GO could be fitted into four fitted curves, which were assigned to C–C (sp 2 and sp 3 ), C–O, C=O, and O=C–O at 284.5, 286.4, 287.2, and 288.8 eV, respectively [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. In addition, the C 1s spectra of GO-g-PTA-F and GO- g -PTA-A could be fitted into five fitted curves, which were assigned to C–C (sp 2 and sp 3 ), C–O, C=O, O=C–O, and C–N, at 284.5, 286.4, 287.2, 288.8, and 285.6 eV, respectively [ 25 , 48 ]. The relative intensity of the C–N peak of GO- g -PTA-F and GO- g -PTA-A samples significantly increased, and the relative intensity of the C–O peak of GO- g -PTA-F and GO- g -PTA-A samples decreased.…”

“…To improve the antimicrobial activity of GO, different types of cationic polymer were added onto GO surface. Fan et al [ 25 ] demonstrated that cationic polymer-modified GO, such as polyethylenimine-modified GO via an epoxy ring opening reaction, showed higher biocidal efficacy than GO at the same concentration.…”